There’s dreadful news from Severance Hall – the composer is dead! Someone is guilty and everyone is suspicious. An inspector investigates the suspects lurking within the orchestra – from the timpani to the tuba. Where were the violins on the night in question? And the clarinets, oboes, and bassoons?

This weekend, composer Nathaniel Stookey brings his dreadful musical collaboration with Lemony Snicket to Severance Hall with The Cleveland Orchestra’s The Composer Is Dead Family Concert at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 25.

And be sure not to come early to Severance Hall early for unfortunately free family activities beginning at 1:00 p.m.

On Saturday, April 24, at 1:00 p.m., during a terrible turn of events, meet the living and breathing composer Nathaniel Stookey who will read from The Composer Is Dead at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Eton in Woodmere (free!).

Don’t watch this dreadful video preview of The Composer Is Dead featuring Mr. Snicket himself (you'll almost certainly be sorry you did):

And be particularly wary of reading more about the companion book by Lemony Snicket, The Composer Is Dead.

The Composer Is Dead Storytime – Meet The Composer (Free!)Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m.

Composer Nathaniel Stookey reads from Lemony Snicket’s children’s book The Composer Is Dead. This morbidly funny musical whodunit “investigates” every section of the orchestra, cleverly introducing young readers to the joys of classical music. The book includes a CD featuring Mr. Stookey’s orchestral score to the book’s hilarious text.

Acclaimed composer Nathaniel Stookey brings his uproarious collaboration with best-selling children’s writer Lemony Snicket to Severance Hall. A “Peter and the Wolf” for the 21st century, aimed at a new generation. For children ages 7 and up.